11 fantastic Falcon athletes put pen to paper on National Signing Day

Hayden Rhodes|November 13, 2021

From+left+to+right%3A+Lyla+Johnston%2C+Olivia+Dow%2C+Jake+Magnusson%2C+Daniel+Hadar%2C+Maya+Wells%2C+Zack+Lillington%2C+Jake+Dixon%2C+Elliot+Joslin%2C+Toby+Shaffer%2C+Jonas+Salk%2C+and+Cal+Amborn+after+signing+their+NLI%E2%80%99s.

Naomi Betz

From left to right: Lyla Johnston, Olivia Dow, Jake Magnusson, Daniel Hadar, Maya Wells, Zack Lillington, Jake Dixon, Elliot Joslin, Toby Shaffer, Jonas Salk, and Cal Amborn after signing their NLI’s.

One of the most exciting moments for a student-athlete is receiving a verbal scholarship offer. However, nothing is official until they put the pen to paper and sign their National Letter of Intent (NLI), which is an official document that signifies an athlete’s commitment to a school or university. On Wednesday, Nov. 10, 11 AWHS senior athletes signed off their loyalty to their respective schools on National Signing Day with the support of friends and family. 

“It means so much to have so many people love and support me, my family has dedicated a lot of their time to help me get to this point, so it’s only fitting that they are here with me today,” said senior Cal Amborn. 

Cal is going to be continuing his academic and athletic career playing baseball at the University of San Francisco. 

“Putting the pen to paper and having my commitment be official is an awesome feeling,” Cal said. 

Cal was not the only AWHS baseball player to sign their NLI; he signed alongside teammates Jonas Salk (University of Portland) and Elliot Joslin (UC Irvine). Along with the AWHS baseball program, several boys water polo players signed on Wednesday. Jake Dixon (U.S Air Force Academy) and Daniel Hadar (Brown University) both became official Division 1 water polo players. 

“It was a moment of beauty. We have spent the past ten years pushing each other every day and becoming better teammates. Knowing all the work we put in together, seeing a bud of yours be able to sign alongside you is a heartwarming moment,” Daniel said.

While the fall signing day has come to a close, AWHS can expect additional athletes to sign their NLIs in February of 2022. 

Congratulations to the AWHS fall signees in the class of 2022: Lyla Johnston (Claremont Mudd Scripps, lacrosse), Olivia Dow (Connecticut College, volleyball), Jake Magnusson (Lafayette College, tennis), Daniel Hadar, Maya Wells (Utah Valley University, soccer), Zack Lillington (UC Davis, soccer), Jake Dixon (US Air Force Academy, water polo), Elliot Joslin (UC Irvine, baseball), Toby Shaffer (Hobart College, rowing), Jonas Salk (University of Portland, baseball) , and Cal Amborn (University of San Francisco, baseball).